Shanghai has launched a month-long shopping festival to facilitate the integration of high-quality imported goods from countries participating in the China International Import Expo into the Shanghai consumer market.

The event, co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, the China International Import Expo Bureau, and the Pudong New Area People's Government, kicked off on Nov 4 at the Shanghai FTZ Global Hub in Shanghai's Waigaoqiao area, with representatives from the Waigaoqiao International Trading Operation Center, Bailian Group, Takashimaya, and other enterprises present to introduce the key activities of the month-long event.

According to organizers, the event also seeks to establish platforms for international economic and trade cooperation, as well as cultural exchanges. Throughout November, the festival will feature nearly 20 events centered around imported goods and cultural themes from various countries.

Among them is the "Armenian Cultural Week" hosted by the Waigaoqiao International Trading Operation Center, inviting people to explore the food and wine of this nation in the Caucasus. Visitors can also experience exclusive products from countries like France, Hungary, and Germany at the Shanghai FTZ Global Hub. Takashimaya is holding "Japanese Brand Month", offering discounts as low as 20 percent on a curated selection of Japanese brands that have participated in the CIIE and providing customers with a taste of Japan's craftsmanship. Bailian Group, meanwhile, is presenting a global boutique fair, featuring imported goods from nearly 20 countries across five continents with over 120 promotional activities and nearly 10 debut exhibitions of country-specific art.

Meanwhile, the "Southeast Asian Coffee Festival" is being held at the Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor, showcasing coffee products from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, Laos, Thailand, and Singapore. The Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub is hosting the "Australian Goods Cultural Week", showcasing over 50 local Australian brands, including 18 new products to debut at the 7th CIIE.

At the Shanghai Waigaoqiao International Trading Operation Center, Pakistan jewelry businessman Ubaid Saeed has set up a stand for his family's jewelry brand Winza, which has been a regular exhibitor at the CIIE since 2019.

"We have expanded our business a lot through the CIIE. Now we focus more on business-to-business (B2B) opportunities. And I believe this promotional event will help our business explore a larger market with traders from around the world," he said.